Friday, November 26, 2010

Terrific news came this morning. And I should have figured it out for myself! EDF's Camille and Jordan sent congrats on Flash Fiction Chroniclesbeing listed in the Nov/Dec Writers Digest as one of the 25 Best Online Consumer Magazine Markets!!! Who knew?! Not me! I knew EDF and 10 Flash were listed and SmokeLong Quarterly mentioned too, but it never occurred to me that FFC made one of the lists!!! Yippee!!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

The morning he was to leave, I slipped into his room. Pale light through curtains lined-up like soldiers, tall, straight, at attention. I had to admit it looked a little glorious, but then I turned back to my boy. The quilt my own mama made was pulled right up to his chin, his mouth was open, his breathing soft like feathery wind.Sweat glistened on his forehead and as I stroked the dampness away, he opened his eyes, confused for a moment but comfortable too. Warm. Safe under his own mama's gaze.They say the worst thing in the world is to bury a child. I testify to that. Toby went to war because he was told it was the right thing to do. Not by me. Never me.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Wednesday night was the signing at Vroman's for the W.W. Norton Hint Fiction Anthology edited by Robert Swartwood. I enjoyed meeting fellow contributors Jenn Alandy, Jeremy D. Brooks, Daniel A. Olivas, Robin Rozanski and A. J. Slye. The bookstore personnel were wonderful and the audience much appreciated. Signed copies are now available at Vroman's. Think Christmas! Think independent bookstores!

Monday, November 01, 2010

I'm always writing about goals and then ignoring them, but I'm going to be perverse and keep posting them until I get it right. Goal #1 is the novel. You've heard it before and most of you probably don't believe it will happen, but it will! It will!

My other main goal is to get some help at Flash Fiction Chronicles. Denny Lee Vanvick has agreed to help out but I think I need a couple more editors. So if you are interested in applying to be an assistant editor, send me a note and tell me what part you'd like to play. Or if you are interested in having a once a month feature column at FFC, I would like to consider that as a possibility too. If interviewing, writing craft posts, finding articles, proof-reading, gathering news bits, or posting a weekly photo prompt appeals to you let me know.

What else for November? My son and his wife are coming for early Thanksgiving so I'm looking forward to that. My goal is to be in a good work place (meaning a few posts ahead at FFC and significant novel progress) by the time they get here so I can reeeellllllaaaaaxxxxx and enjoy their visit.

I think that's it. I also want to enjoy the signing Wednesday night at Vromans for the Hint Fiction anthology. Editor Robert Swartwood will be out for that and I hope lots of people come. It's at 7:00 November 3 upstairs at Vromans in Old Town.

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FEAR

Fear freezes creativity. Failure cracks the ice. You can let yourself slip into the cold water or you can grapple for purchase and scream for help until you are once again donning your ice skates and cutting an elegant figure-eight. -Gay Degani

What is Flash Fiction?

Flash fiction is to traditional short stories what lightning is to a storm… Thunder, rain, sleet, wind and lightning are all part of the excitement of a full blown nor’easter or afternoon thunderstorm. The rush of hard rain opens our eyes; its steady drum on the roof soothes us until that first roll of thunder raises our pulse; lightning makes us anticipate and 1-2-3 count. Then rain again and we wait for another loud crack, more electrical fireworks, the clouds to clear, the skies to blue. A good storm is filled with promise, surprise, fear, suspense, relief, joy, and sometimes sadness. So is a good story. -Gay Degani

And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.
~Shakespeare